Journal article
Evidence of assortative mating for theory of mind via facial expressions but not language
- Abstract:
- Assortative mating is a phenomenon in which romantic partners typically resemble each other at a level greater than chance. There is converging evidence that social behaviours are subject to assortative mating, though less is known regarding social cognition. Social functioning requires the ability to identify and understand the mental states of others, i.e., theory of mind. The present study recruited a sample of 102 heterosexual couples via an online survey to test if theory of mind as measured using facial expressions (Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test) or language (Stiller-Dunbar Stories Task) is associated with assortative mating. Results provide evidence of assortative mating for theory of mind via facial expressions, though there was no such effect for theory of mind via language. Assortative mating for theory of mind via facial expressions was not moderated by length of relationship nor by partner similarity in age, educational attainment, or religiosity, all variables relevant to social stratification. This suggests assortative mating for theory of mind via facial expressions is better explained by partners being alike at the start of their relationship (initial assortment) rather than becoming similar through sustained social interaction (convergence), and by people seeking out partners that are like themselves (active assortment) rather than simply pairing with those from similar demographic backgrounds (social homogamy).
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
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(Preview, Version of record, pdf, 722.6KB, Terms of use)
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- Publisher copy:
- 10.1177/02654075221106451
Authors
- Publisher:
- SAGE Publications
- Journal:
- Journal of Social and Personal Relationships More from this journal
- Volume:
- 39
- Issue:
- 12
- Pages:
- 3660-3679
- Publication date:
- 2022-06-02
- Acceptance date:
- 2022-03-01
- DOI:
- EISSN:
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1460-3608
- ISSN:
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0265-4075
- Language:
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English
- Keywords:
- Pubs id:
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1285560
- Local pid:
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pubs:1285560
- Deposit date:
-
2022-10-18
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- Jackson et al.
- Copyright date:
- 2022
- Rights statement:
- © The Author(s) 2022. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
- Licence:
- CC Attribution (CC BY)
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